General News
25 November, 2021
Donation helps expand L2P program
DISADVANTAGED locals who need assistance in learning to drive are set to benefit from a boost thanks to the generosity of the Terang and Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) and Terang Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
DISADVANTAGED locals who need assistance in learning to drive are set to benefit from a boost thanks to the generosity of the Terang and Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) and Terang Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
The Terang Hospital Ladies Auxiliary raised $5000 to assist in covering the costs of acquiring two decommissioned 2018 Toyota RAV 4’s from the TMHS fleet.
The vehicles will be used in the L2P program across the Corangamite Shire.
TMHS is the provider of the Corangamite L2P program, which was developed to assist young Victorian drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 who do not have access to an appropriate vehicle or supervising driver to gain the experience required to acquire a probationary license.
The program also provides funding for professional driving lessons, with up to seven lessons with Bill Henry from Elm’s Driving School, throughout the program.
“The program only had one vehicle which was almost 10 years old,” L2P program co-ordinator Sally Hampson said.
“It’s starting to show some wear and tear but the program has grown exponentially over the last 12 months to include the far reaches of the shire, so we required extra vehicles to service those areas.
“We are so appreciative of the efforts of the Terang Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
“I think they have been going for around 80 years now and during that time I think they have raised over $1 million to support local causes.”
The program has grown from strength to strength in recent years, with places for 12 learners and a number of successful program graduates.
One of those graduates, TMHS apprentice chef Sean Harrison, said the program helped him to develop his driving skill at a time when he otherwise could not have done so.
He was able to enlist the help of the L2P program, with thanks to mentors Brendan Williams and Geoff Barby, to increase his experience behind the wheel.
“I wasn’t able to get my hours up before joining the Corangamite L2P program, but after joining I was able to build up my hours more frequently,” he said.
“It gave me a lot more knowledge in driving than I would get just driving with some friends or family, since the mentors are knowledgeable.
“With TAFE it was very inconvenient catching the train since they are four hours apart.
“I know a lot of people who find it hard to find people to drive with so this is great. It’s free, and a lot of paid lessons can cost around $80 per hour so it’s fairly expensive.”
Terang Hospital Ladies Auxiliary president Michelle Mackinnon said the group was proud to have helped to give back to the community.
“We’ve very happy to donate this money towards the L2P program,” she said.
“It’s great for the youth to be able to get their licenses and become more independent.
“Our group meets regularly and our main aim is to fundraise for the hospital to help provide equipment or important initiatives such as this program.”
Secretary Nola Davey said those involved with the auxiliary do what they can to provide a boost.
“We’ve not a very big auxiliary but we do pretty well considering there is not a lot of us.
“We raise as much money as we can, and a lot of this funding came from a Jazz afternoon we held, so there is a lot of fun in raising money for a worthy cause.”
Ms Davey said the group was also hoping to bring in new members as the state emerges from COVID-19 restrictions.
Anyone interested in joining was invited to contact Ms Mackinnon on 0458 345 303.
For more information on joining the Corangamite L2P program, contact Sally Hampson on 5592 0222.
